DIVE WATCHES. This tool watch category gets more exciting with IWC’s intensive development on its Aquatimer and Cartier joining the bandwagon
THIN & TRENDY
Calibre de Cartier Diver
For a watch brand that’s got more than a century of history, Cartier doesn’t have to push itself forward to stay ahead of the game. But thankfully it did. It ambitiously launched the Calibre de Cartier collection in 2010, in which the watches use Cartier’s first in-house movement. Cartier ticked another checkbox this year with the creation of its first tool watch: Calibre de Cartier Diver. Although it would fare just fine for Cartier to produce a dive watch-looking piece without rugged inner workings, the haute watchmaker went all the way, scoring an ISO 6425 certification that verifies a dive watch’s qualifications. Owing to the 11mm thickness, the watch is also perfect to be worn with suit and tie.
Case Size: 42mm
Case Material: Steel Or Pink Gold
Dial: Black
Strap: Rubber
Movement: 1940 MC, Automatic
Power Reserve: 48 Hours
Water Resistance: 300m
DIVE CHRONOGRAPH
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronograph
While most dive watches go for simple design, Blancpain goes the other way around. Its Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe—which was first released in late 1950s for divers who demanded a versatile dive timepiece excellent for daily wear—raises the bar by incorporating a flyback chronograph. Not only does the watch look handsome in an all-black presentation, it also offers something that’s rare for dive watches: transparent case-back. You can peer over the sapphire crystal and observe the movement’s 18-carat gold oscillating weight bearing a sculpted Blancpain logo. What’s more interesting, the fabric-strapped watch enables you to start the chronograph underwater. A swimming race to the surface after a plunge? Why not!
Case Size: 42mm
Case Material: Steel Or Pink Gold
Dial: Black
Strap: Rubber
Movement: 1940 MC, Automatic
Power Reserve: 48 Hours
Water Resistance: 300m
INTO THE DEEP
IWC Aquatimer 2000
A real diver wouldn’t want to miss out on IWC’s novelties this year. The brand’s unique approach to focus on one watch line per year is somewhat daring and risky. IWC’s Aquatimer takes center stage this year and, out of all, the Aquatimer 2000 is one that can join the deepest dive. The number on the name refers to the depth the watch case can withstand, that is 2,000 meters. This is made possible thanks to a very robust and thick titanium case, measuring 46mm in diameter and 20.5mm in thickness. It certainly peers out when worn on the wrist, but that’s all the more reason why this watch stands out among the crowd.
Case Size: 46mm
Case Material: Titanium
Dial: Black
Strap: Rubber
Movement: 80110, Automatic
Power Reserve: 44 Hours
Water Resistance: 2,000m
CERAMIC CHARM
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000
Always a legend above and under water, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 is veritably a covetable dive watch. It is great looking with a sleek black bezel and dial. In terms of material, the watch features Cerachrom bezel insert in ceramic, which simply means that the patented bezel material is virtually scratch-resistant and impervious to the effects of ultraviolet light. Aside from stunning craftsmanship, the watch boasts a helium escape valve, another patent by Rolex that has the watch case release helium during the decompression phases of deep-water dives. Also suited to diving is the adjustable bracelet to fit a diving suit up to 7mm thick.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel Superalloy
Dial: Black
Bracelet: Stainless Steel Superalloy
Movement: 3135, Automatic
Power Reserve: 48 Hours
Water Resistance: 1,220m
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